M E D I A  A D V I S O R Y

Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program Announces the Launch of a new Wind Ensemble for Young Musicians

June 22, 2018 – Richmond, Virginia: We are thrilled to announce that the Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra Program will offer a new Wind Ensemble starting this fall! Wind Ensemble rehearsals will take place on Tuesdays from 4:45 – 6:30pm from September through May at Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School. (1000 Mosby St. Richmond, VA 23223). The Wind Ensemble is accepting intermediate level flute, oboe, clarinet, saxophone, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, euphonium, tuba, and percussion players. There is no audition process, but successful participants will meet or exceed the level of proficiency outlined on the Richmond Symphony’s website. Students will be able to showcase their skills during winter and spring concerts at Carpenter Theatre. Registration for Wind Ensemble will open mid-late July; to be placed on the notification list please visit the Wind Ensemble webpage and complete an inquiry form. You will receive notification once registration opens.

“We believe the addition of a Wind Ensemble is integral to the growth of our Youth Orchestra Program. The program has a long history of training young string musicians, and we are excited to offer that same excellence in instruction to woodwind, brass and percussion students. The ensemble is designed to offer challenging repertoire for motivated participants and the opportunity to enjoy music with other students who are leaders in their school programs. Participants who progress through the program will be prepared to audition for Youth Concert Orchestra, Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra, and other honors ensembles throughout the state.” – Corinne Smith, Youth Orchestra Manager.

Wind Ensemble Overview

Day: Tuesdays from September through May
• Time: 4:45-6:30pm
• Location: Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School (1000 Mosby St. Richmond, VA 23223)

• Cost: $484.00 for the year
• No audition process, but successful participants will meet or exceed the level of proficiency
outlined on the Richmond Symphony website
• Registration will open mid-late July
• Visit website for inquiry form and to be notified once registration opens.
• Winter and spring concerts at Carpenter Theatre
• Intermediate-Level Woodwinds, Brass, and Percussion: Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Saxophone, Bassoon, Horn,Trumpet, Trombone, Euphonium, Tuba, Percussion
• Christopher Moseley, conductor
Director of Bands/Orchestra at Varina High School in Henrico, VA

Entrance Requirements

The Wind Ensemble is designed to attract motivated middle and early high school students who are eager to challenge themselves and are comfortable with the VBODA district band audition requirements.
http://www.people.vcu.edu/~bhammel/distric1/band_ms/band_ms_audition_2018.htm

Scale Requirements
All Instruments: Major Scales up to 3 Sharps and Flats: C, F, B-flat, E-flat, G, D, A, and Chromatic Scale, minimum 1 octave, tempo: quarter note = 96

Notation Knowledge
Sixteenth, eighth, quarter, half & whole notes, dotted rhythms

Time signatures: 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, & 6/8 time

Interested in joining Wind Ensemble? Visit the Wind Ensemble webpage and complete the inquiry form.

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About the Richmond Symphony
Kicking off its 60th Anniversary Season in September 2017, the Richmond Symphony is the largest
performing arts organization in Central Virginia. The organization includes an orchestra of more than 70
professional musicians, the 150-voice Richmond Symphony Chorus and more than 260 students in the
Richmond Symphony Youth Orchestra programs. Each season, more than 200,000 members of the
community enjoy live concerts and radio broadcasts. The Symphony also provides educational outreach
programs to over 55,000 students and teachers each year. The Symphony was recently named one of 21
American orchestras selected as a leader in orchestra innovation by the League of American Orchestras
through its Futures Fund Initiative. The Richmond Symphony is partially funded by the Virginia
Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. Visit www.richmondsymphony.com.

Contacts:

Erin Frye: Marketing and PR Manager

p. 804.788.4717 ext. 121 e. efrye@richmondsymphony.com

Scott Dodson: Director of Advancement and Patron Communications

p. 804.788.4717 ext. 120 e. sdodson@richmondsymphony.com